Canon EOS-1Ds 11.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

With its extremely high resolution, the EOS-1Ds is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of professional photographers--including studio, commercial, reportage, or fashion photography--who need the ultimate in digital image quality.

Optics
The camera's imaging engine is one of the keys to its exceptional quality. The advanced chip assembles and processes image data captured by the sensor to achieve color accuracy and wide tonal range equivalent to digitally scanned images from conventional film-based cameras.

The EOS-1Ds can capture images at approximately 3 frames per second for a 10-frame burst, even at the highest-quality setting. It also has almost three times as many pixels as the super-fast EOS-1D.

Each of the camera's 45 focusing points is linked directly to Canon's exclusive 21-zone metering system. In addition, the metering system also allows photographers to choose from center weighted, central partial, central spot, focusing-point linked spot, or multispot metering.

The EOS-1Ds features a color matrix function: Five settings provide a choice of two color spaces (standard sRGB or expanded Adobe RGB 1998) and four variations in color characteristics for sRGB. This feature applies to JPEG as well as RAW images, and allows EOS-1Ds image quality to be matched to the requirements of the subject or output device, ranging from four-color offset presses to desktop color Bubble Jet printers.

More Features

• Ability to dial in color temperatures to meet specific lighting conditions
• 10 white balance (WB) modes and WB bracketing provide maximum flexibility and superb color accuracy
• ISO speed bracketing allows you to fix aperture and shutter speeds, yet shoot at three different equivalent film speeds
• Fully compatible with all Canon EF lenses, from ultrawide-angle to super-telephoto

Image Sizes

• RAW: 11.4 MB (4,064 x 2,704 pixels)
• Large/fine: 4.1 MB (4,064 x 2,704 pixels)
• Large/normal: 1.7 MB (4,064 x 2,704 pixels)
• Small/fine: 1.4 MB (,032 x 1,352 pixels)

Storage and Transfer
The EOS-1Ds comes equipped with an IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interface, allowing speedy plug-and-play data communication with computers. For studio photography, new 4.5-meter FireWire cables are available. The camera automatically formats the CF card for either FAT16 or FAT32, according to the maximum storage capacity (FAT 32 is selected for capacity higher than 2 GB).

Images are stored on CompactFlash Type I or II cards (Microdrive compatible). You can create up to 500 subfolders on each CF card with each folder storing up to 9,999 images

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by a rechargeable NiHM battery pack (included). It measures 6.1 by 6.2 by 3.1 inches and weighs 44.6 ounces. This package includes the EOS-1Ds digital camera body (no lens included), NiMH battery pack (NP-E3), NiMH battery charger (NC-E2), DC coupler kit (DCK-E1), AC adapter (PA-V16), FireWire interface cable (IFC-200D6), neck strap, hand strap, eyecup (EC-II), EOS Digital Solutions CD-ROM, Adobe Photoshop 5.0 LE CD-ROM.

Product Description
Perfect for journalists, studio and wedding photographers, or anyone who wants the highest possible resolution from their digital SLR, the EOS-1Ds sets a new standard, raising the bar on image quality while retaining EOS performance. Withan 11.1 million pixel full-frame CMOS sensor, the EOS-1Ds is the first Canon digital SLR to use the entire line of Canon autofocus lenses without a conversion factor, making for no compromise wide-angle photography, and tremendous image files. The EOS-1Ds has outstanding performance features such asfast 45-point AF, 3 fps for 10 consecutive frames, a 5-mode 21-zone metering systems, 10 modes of white balance and 5 modes of color options. It is capable of simultaneous RAW and JPEG recording, utilizes Canon's advanced flash technologies, including E-TTL wireless autoflash, and comes bundled with powerful new software utilities for both Mac OS and Windows. The EOS-1Ds advantage begins with a full-frame CMOS sensor - developed and manufactured by Canon - with an imaging area of 24 x 36mm, the same dimensions used by full-frame 35mm SLRs. Finally, every EF lens will work the same on a digital SLR as it does on your 35mm film cameras, with the same coverage. Even for wide-angle shooters. The CMOS sensor of the EOS-1Ds has 11.1 million effective pixels with a maximum resolution of 4,064 x 2,704 pixels. This almost doubles the resolution currentlyconsidered state-of-the-art by most professionals, resulting in a quantum leap

My last Sony was a F828 and before that a P10. The F828 is a great consumer product for the price, but it actually made me do the leap as good as it is, as it brought back my spirit for creating a REALLY good picture. I started to spend so much time to get to the right photo spot at the right time, that I did not want to have a lack of functionality then. I used to do a lot of photography 20 years ago on film, but returned as a point and shoot fotographer when digital came about. To say it with fellow countryman 'Arnie' - "I'm back."

First I need to say that all Amazon partnershops performed and delivered flawlessly, my special mention goes to Adorama Camera. I would usually be worried to spend so much money on the web, but Amazon takes that away.

Now to the 'beast' itself the EOS-1Ds body. I will not go into all the functional details, as to my mind they are all correct as stated. The camera is great to hold and work with total confidence. But at first - big disappointment. I was unable to concentrate on working with a professional camera. I was too used to point and shoot and expected the camera to do it all for me. Well, it does not. You need to know or learn photography for this one. It is now four weeks and 2500 pictures later and finally there is only one reason for a photo not to be perfect - ME!

Biggest difference to other products is the film-size 24x36 CCD and the ability to set the ASA film sensitivity up to 1250 on the fly rather than having to change film. Not always is a tripod at hand or the photo subject would wait until you set it up and then hold still for a 2 second exposure. I could not ask the helicopter pilot to stop the vibration during a dawn flight over the Las Vegas Strip. Setting to ASA1250 shortened exposure time to s/50. The picture noise that you get as a consequence is dramatically reduced by the noise reduction feature and much less than the grain of a high-sensitivity film.

Cautions and recommendations: Learning how to clean the sensor from dust and dirt without damaging it is essential. This camera is VERY heavy you will need a strong tripod to hold it. Buy a second battery, even so the charging is quick and it usually lasts for two normal days of use. Using a CF card reader is easier than buying a Firwire attachment for your PC. Use 2GB high-speed Compactflash for convenience, it will give you 400 pictures in JPG. Feel free to send me questions, which I will answer as much as I can.


Prosumer   January 4, 2004
27 out of 31 found this review helpful

I have shot 35mm for 30 years and paid for the best prints from the best labs and they just can't compare with high end digital prints. The detail goes way beyond 35mm and easily challenges medium format. I am still learning color manipulation on the computer and occasionally I get better color from a Velvia slide - which I am now shooting with the same Canon lenses and a 1v body - but overall it is becoming increasingly clear that film is as dead as video tape and vinyl records. I traded up to the 1Ds from a D60, which also produced prints much better than 35mm. The drawback to the D60 was a poor autofocus and a less than full frame sensor, which limits the use of wide angle lenses for landscape photos. The 1Ds solves those problems and potentially makes larger format cameras obsolete at the same time.

The only problem I have found is that the 45 sensor autofocus setting does not work with a very wide angle (16mm or 15mm fisheye) lens. For some reason, it won't focus at infinity. Switching to the center only focus sensor solves the problem. The 1v and Elan 7 do the same thing.


Holy Cow !!!   November 5, 2003
Mad Dog (TimbuckThree, Tennessee)
32 out of 40 found this review helpful

Our rep brought an EOS-1Ds into the lab for us to look at last week. I'm still pouring over the test bench and outdoor images with my jaw on the floor. I'll never be able to afford this beauty, but if we see the technology of the 1Ds make it into the prosumer market, I'll make the jump. Many of the so-called limitations of digital photography have been directly addressed in the design of the 1Ds.

For example, the small physical dimensions of consumer camera CCDs have limited the performance of many cameras. It's nearly impossible to collect and focus light onto a small CCD with inexpensive optics. Canon uses a larger size CCD in the 1Ds. That upgrade, plus having the CCD house 11 megapixels makes this camera instantly competitive with 35 mm film. Note, I'm not yet ready to say it's the equivalent, but it's so close now that the few advantages of film have much less leverage now. The future is here and it is now. If only I had 8 grand in my pocket...

I didn't have enough time with the 1Ds to get to know all of the bells and whistles, but did find it easy enough to use by just trusting my intuition. I'm looking at the nice collection of Canon 35 mm lenses I already own (which will fit the 1Ds) and my palms are sweating. Maybe I could sell a few of the toys I don't use much and eat macaroni and cheese for a few years?